An eight-run second inning by the University of New Mexico baseball team proved to be enough offense as the Lobos beat the No. 23 ranked San Diego State Aztecs 9-5 on Friday night.
Brayden Merritt got things started for the Lobos with a bases loaded walk to plate Jared Mang, as Aztec starter Harrison Pyatt struggled with command early. Pyatt would walk in another run before Jared Mang busted the game open with a two-run double up the middle to score Hayden Schilling and Justin Watari. All eight runs scored by the Lobos in the frame came with two outs.
The Aztecs scratched and clawed their way back with two runs in the bottom of the second and another to runs in the third inning, but they would manage just one more run in the eighth inning as the Lobos held on for their second win in as many days.
Relief pitcher Nathaniel Garley was the player of the game, tossing six and a third innings of three-hit baseball in relief of starter Robert Gasser. Garley struck out nine batters while allowing just one earned run and three hits.
Mang earned top offensive honors on the night for the Lobos, with two RBI and two runs scored.
Cody Dye will take the mound tomorrow for manager Ray Birmingham as the Lobos look for their first sweep of a conference foe in 2018.